March 2, 2015March 2, 2015 styledbylyric1 Comment

Forget That. Get This.

After finishing up my past few consults & conversing with my clients about their major needs//wants out of this industry, I’ve concluded that people love a good deal. & bargain shopping is at an all time high. As much as we all love designer brands & high-end everything, it’s not realistic for the average human to spend $1,000 on new Jimmy Choo’s or a great handbag. One day. But not every day. So for those other 364, I’ve decided to help a babe out.

Today’s post is for my bargain shoppers who want a great product [or five] without the all the guilt. I’ve selected a few of my favorite 2015 shoes & found [reasonably priced] comparable products that you can purchase instead, without lacking quality. Capiche?

If there’s one thing I want my clients to learn through Lyric, it’s that personal style does not have to cost thousands of dollars; find pieces you love, that work for you & forget the rest. Thus, I’ll be doing a Forget That. Get This. post every month with my favorite bargain finds, to prove that personal style can be incredibly affordable & fun.

Today’s focus: SHOES. Let’s get started.

Forget That: Stuart Wietzman Nudist Single Band Sandals, $398

Get This: Mossimo’s Pamela Heeled Sandal, $29.99

Forget That: Sergio Rossi Mermaid Cage Booties, $1,895Get This: Zigi Soho Duran Bootie, $79.95

Forget That: Pour La Victoire Camila Lace Up Sandals, $265

Get This: Impo Tanny Sandal, $39.95

Forget That: Joie A La Plage Sable Two Band Sandals, $125

Get This: Joie Sable Flat Sandal [nearly the same sandal], $64.95

Forget That: Joie Dalton Suede Booties, $325

Get This: Crown Vintage Rita Booties, $39.95

Forget That: Derek Lam 10 Crosby Campbell Wedge Sandal, $295

Get This: Crown Vintage Rebecca Wedge Sandal, $39.95

Clearly these are very small examples of a much larger concept; seek & you shall find. In this case however, ask me & I’ll seek for you; if you have any questions about a specific product & are on the hunt for a similar but price friendly version, shoot me an email [see contact tab for details] & I’m more than happy to help!

Happy Hunting, babes. & remember, don’t just buy it because it’s designer.

Xx.

November 17, 2014October 21, 2021 styledbylyric2 Comments

Be Jeweled.

Having had about a hundred people compliment//question//touch my stackable, hammered, gold band rings throughout the past few weeks, I’ve decided it’s time to do a post on one of my absolute favorite jewelry staples in my wardrobe; delicate jewels.

Although I can’t share with you the woman who makes mine, because she’s an amazing gypsy-goddess that travels all over the world selling her pieces & only comes to Berkeley a few times a year with her 30 inches of stick straight, amazing, grey locks…I can share with you some seriously swoon-worthy jewelry brands that I’ve been pining over lately.

Deal? Deal.

Chisel & Chain: Angela Herrera’s designs are absolute insanity; they’re so beyond their years, so unique & seriously sexy. She mixes gold with gemstones & textures that you couldn’t even imagine. Not to mention she’s from one of my most favorite cities in the world [Encinitas, Ca]. Check her pieces & try not to go totally broke. I dare you.

Torch Light Jewelry: A Santa Barbara based brand, these babes do it all; leather goods, silver, gold, & accessories. Founder, Louisa Kimble is inspired by mystic, vagabond style & seems limitless with her designs. Their Sundown collection is my absolute favorite [I think I’ll take it all, please], but their Lyra collection takes a strong second place. Their entire website is a designers dream; it’s clean, organized & showcases each & every one of their amazing pieces. Just go. Now. Seriously, go.

Hunter Gatherer Jewelry: Australia is hitting the jewelry game hard lately & this amazing brand is no different. Renée creates amazing jewels for gypsy souls. Her pieces hold authenticity like nothing I have ever seen before & her pricing is incredibly reasonable. I challenge you to not get completely lost in her site…because you will. I promise.

Amarilo Jewelry: Ali Heiss’ LA based designs are probably my favorite of them all. Her concepts are delicate but strong, tough but sweet & simple but incredibly unique. She works with 14kt gold, Argentium sterling silver, & high quality gemstones. My absolute favorite piece in her current collection is the Amelia Wrap Ring. It is so chic & goes with literally everything. Not to mention, her Stackbook on the website will have you drooling. Go get yourself a few pieces of this goddesses work before it’s all gone. I mean hello, Christmas is coming soon.

With the holiday’s fast approaching, you deserve a new piece [or twelve] for all the parties you’ll be attending. Not to mention, each of these beautiful designs would make perfect Christmas presents for your girlfriends or loved ones. Not sayin…just sayin.

Happy Shopping & Happy Holidays, babefriends. Thanks for being wonderful.

Xx.

October 13, 2014October 14, 2014 styledbylyric7 Comments

Bootie-licious

Although it honestly feels like Summer will never surrender here in California, Fall is among us & thus comes my favorite time of year for footwear. The possibilities are endless & designers can get crazy with their creations, but I’m a purist. Give me an amazing pair of booties & a warm latte & I’m set for the entire season. Serious. However, this year’s search wasn’t as peaceful as other seasons & I’m finding that some of you babes are needing some direction in this department, as well. & I’m here to help.

I recently found myself navigating many a department store for the perfect pair[s] & found my options a bit overwhelming in that “I hate this & I’m getting over needing new shoes altogether” kind of way. There were about 45 different styles, colors & shapes of booties, half of which made me look like my legs were cut off at the ankles & I magically became a witch. Hi Halloween, I’m just not that into you. Therefore, I’m here to share my story & my findings in hopes that you won’t have to encounter the same exhausting shopping experience as myself.

Let’s break down my favorite Fall 2014 ankle boots based on shape, color & fit. Here goes…

The Flat Bootie: Sam Edelman is a footwear genius; his designs are versatile & almost always a hit from Spring through Winter. He’s basically the king of the flat bootie design. The perfect example is his ever-famous “Petty-Boot” [my favorite ones yet, in cream], which seriously makes any woman’s legs look phenom in a pair of fitted denim. These babies are comfortable beyond belief, versatile from day to night & are best worn with skirts, skater dresses, & denim [both boyfriend fit & slim//skinny]. Crown Vintage came out with their own take on this same design at an unreal price point & are just as high quality as the Sams. [Take it from someone who owns three pairs of these exact shoes; they’re the best boots I’ve ever purchased.]

The Peep-Toe Bootie: a relatively controversial design, the peep-toe bootie is one of my Fall favorites. Adding an element of sexiness to an otherwise closed-off shape by opening the toe of the shoe is in my opinion, genius. It may seem counterintuitive during cold weather months to expose the foot to open air, but should you live in an element-friendly area I say take this look on full throttle. Best worn with dresses, denim & slacks, this design elongates the legs & puts the entire focus on the foot. Note: be sure to have a good mani; Winter months can be brutal on our toes & no one wants to see that peaking out the front of a cute ass shoe.

*Two of my favorite examples are these DV’s on sale at Bloomies, as well as Kristin Cavallari’s “Layla“.

The Stacked Bootie: I fell in love with this style last Fall & have never looked back. The stacked bootie is great for women on the go, as well as those who have major hips [like myself]. This shape, with it’s wider shaped heel & added stability, makes a busy-work-day-gone-night-out-with-the-girls effortlessly easy. Go for a rounded, extended toe for slendering of the legs. I prefer to keep the colors neutral with this look; greys, taupes, blushes, even blacks & creams work well, but bright vibrant colors can actually add weight to your feet & make you appear large in the ankles. Ew.

*A few of my Fall favorites: The “Conary Bootie” by DV for Dolce Vita [I have last year’s replica of this design in black & taupe & wear them for hours with no issues or pain. SUCH. A. GREAT. INVESTMENT.] That blush color…I mean c’mon. & for my budget babes, the “Flynn Bootie” by Crown Vintage [just purchased these in black 2 days ago] are amazing. The pictures do them no justice at all; they’re chic, comfortable & look amazing with dark & black denim. I plan to live in these this season.

The Moto Bootie: although not quite as popular as they were last Fall, the moto boot is here to stay. Adding a punky element to any outfit, these shoes scream “I’m sexier & more high-fashion than you can even handle.” There are many different elements & takes on this look; studded, strappy, leather, suede, chains, flat, heeled…but the moral is hardware. I do warn my clients//followers that this shoe is relatively masculine, thus it’s best worn with an ultra-feminine dress or fitted pair of denim to offset the gender neutrality. Try an all black ensemble for a hot night out. Best body type for this look: thin legs, small calves.

*My favorite take on this look are these Jeffrey Campbell “Motorama” stacked booties at Nords. I mean does it get any cooler than that?

The Oxford Bootie: so 2014 is the year I finally fell in love with the Oxford. It took me 26 years, but I made it. I never understood this look until Rachel Zoe nailed it with her “Raven Oxfords” & now I’m done for. I find that a dramatically pointed-toe style is the only I will go for, as the other’s feel too masculine & limited. This shoe is best worn with cuffed slacks, boyfriend denim, & loose-fitted dresses. Layer it with a cool leather jacket, a great handbag, & tons of feminine jewelry & your outfit will pummel everyone’s around you that day//night.

*Favorite Fall 2014 examples [besides Rachel Zoe’s] are: DV’s “Verily Oxford” & Shellys Of London “Vossi Vamp Oxford“.

Whether you’re seriously investigating the right bootie for you this Fall or just window shopping, I only ask that you TRY THEM ON. Walk around the store in them, look at all angles & viewpoints of your body in the mirror, & as always, find an outfit that enhances the shoe when test driving them. You wouldn’t actually wear boots with your new lululemons, so why would you try boots on in them? To get the full effect of a new purchase you have to be promoting it realistically.

& lastly, if you don’t feel downright beautiful then don’t even waste your time. Shopping is an investment, not a nonchalant purchase made on a whim. Make your money count & always have fun.

Happy Fall, babes. We finally made it.

Xx.

PS: Here are a few of my absolute favorite shoe shops this season:

May 20, 2014May 21, 2014 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Mens; Wear Did It Go?

After having had my boyfriend, male friends & clients [who not only appreciate style, but are interested in learning the ins & outs of it] each come to me on separate occasions relaying their frustrations with the menswear community & department stores…I’ve decided that this subject needs to be dissected & fleshed out. It may get weird…

I can’t even count on my hands how many times I’ve gone into a department store to find that the men’s section has been downgraded, yet again, to accomodate more womenswear. NOW DON’T GET ME WRONG, I’m never going to be mad that us women have more options when shopping, however, I don’t find it fair or gratifying that our gain comes from a mans loss & a potentially fashionable man at that. Not to mention, these tiny cubical corners of the store only offer [manhood-killing] chino shorts, awful graphic tees & about a zillion flannel button-ups. When did flannels & Levi’s become the only item in a mans wardrobe that they were allowed to wear? I would imagine that some men don’t want to wear 100% wool in 100 degree heat…shocking! & more importantly, when did the fashion industry decide that men have to suddenly become carbon copies of one another? What happened to originality?

If you’re anything like my boyfriend & the 15 or so other men who have asked me to write this particular post then you’re more fashion forward & conscience than most & you want to maintain your own personal style without compromising or settling. You may not necessarily want to opt for the chino shorts, but retailers have limited your section so intensely that you’re making choices reluctant to what you truly want or like. Well stop. You deserve just as much a slice of the fashion industry as us women do & I’m here to help you navigate through some of the most unique & inspiring menswear designers on the market right now.

Although most of the following are not department stores [or if so, they’re predominantly on the East Coast], the designers & buyers behind these brands understand that menswear is still a viable line in the fashion industry & that having unique pieces in a man’s wardrobe is not a dying art.

Style Source: Let’s start with my personal favorite Gentleman’s Gazette. This is your one stop shop for all things menswear. Need advice? They’ll help. Want fashion inspiration? Theirs is unreal. It’s all fashion, all menswear, all the time. Be sure to pay them a quick visit prior to shopping to wet your appetite.

The Classics: Brooks Brother’s is another major favorite, particularly their new Red Fleece line. The styles behind these geniuses are timeless, chic & perfect for Summer. Yes, there are a few seersucker shorts thrown in, but overall their pieces are effortless & still respect the true shape & masculinity of a man’s body.

High-Ender: MR PORTER is your store. With amazing accessories, unique home-decor, fine watches & superior clothing, this shop is for the true fashionisto. Keep in mind their aestethic is more preppy chic, so my motorcycle men may find themselves steering clear of this one.

Motorcycle Madness: my fashion-forward, edgier guys deserve some references too, & Iron & Resin, as well as Need Supply Co. are two of the best. Iron & Resin became my boyfriends favorite brand this time last year & let me tell you, he looks GOOOOOOD in their pieces. Their brand represents an era that is still very much alive today in our 20-30 somethings, but way more importantly they respect the authenticity of a gear-head without compromising their style. Not to mention, they have mega babe models & super rad home goods.

Whereas Need Supply Co. is more of your rock-surfer style; lots of prints & colors, but great slim cuts & shapes. Think Americana meets Rockabilly in Venice Beach circa 1950. Who can’t get into that?

Tie Me Up: & last we have Alexander Olch for my tie-loving dudes. If I could ever dream up a menswear website, this is exactly what it would look like. Their style is clean, crisp & so unbelievably chic. They have neckties, bow-ties, pocket rounds & scarves in every single color & print, for literally any occasion you could possibly think of. It’s unreal.

If you take nothing else from today’s posting, I hope it’s that you feel inspired to find pieces that suit YOU & make you feel sexier than ever. The fashion industry has honed in on their major market [women] & have sadly left men behind in the process. But men are deserving of the same attention & sex appeal that is allotted to women, so I hope that this post inspires you, your wife, girlfriend, mother &/or friends to allow you to showcase your own personal style. This world is filled with too many replica’s- be original. It’s your time…

Xx.

May 12, 2014May 12, 2014 styledbylyric1 Comment

Rent The Runway

Considering it’s Prom season & every high school babe is manically searching prom boutiques & designer racks for the perfect dress, that they will [sadly] never wear again & will wonder how they were ever that small at any point in their life [wait til your late twenties when it all starts changing, honey]…I figured this post was entirely appropriate & completely necessary for all of my promzilla moms out there. Yes, you exist & we don’t blame you; having your teen daughter running around the house screaming about her color scheme & which nail color she needs & that her strappy heels aren’t tall enough & the florist is an idiot & screwed up the boutonniere for Jimmy & she doesn’t even want to go anymore…can put a damper on your week. But be strong Mommy’s, because this is milestone #1 of MANY & I promise you, she will thank you. Later. Like much later. Like when she has her own daughter doing these same things to her.

Regardless, I found this company, Rent The Runway, remarkable. Not only for Prom season, but for literally any event in which you want to wow your friends, husband, boyfriend, co-workers…the list goes on. These geniuses created the site to allow women of any shape & size rent real designer gowns & dresses [with insurance plans included] for incredibly reasonable prices. The process is so simple: find it, book it, wear it, return it. Done. They give you a second size of your choosing, for free, to guarantee that your size will fit like a glove [otherwise, what’s the point?] & to top it all off, they have an 800 number for personal styling advice if need be. WHAT?!

Am I the only one who’s shocked by this? Where was this company when I was 16? It’s pure brilliance. I suggest you tell your friends & get to renting, because this is major.

Xx.